Mississippi state Sen. Chris McDaniel announced Wednesday he will switch from challenging GOP Sen. Roger Wicker in a primary to running in the November special election for resigning Sen. Thad Cochran’s seat.

“By announcing early, we are asking Mississippi Republicans to unite around my candidacy and avoid another contentious contest among GOP members that would only improve the Democrats’ chances of winning the open seat,” McDaniel said in a statement, alluding to Republicans’ loss in an Alabama special election late last year.

As Mississippi Republican state Sen. Chris McDaniel addressed supporters Wednesday afternoon in front of a giant American flag, an aide ran up to affix a Senate campaign sign to the candidate’s wooden podium.

“I guess the cat’s out of the bag,” McDaniel said, standing on stage at Jones Junior College in his hometown of Ellisville.